Sorry about the late update, a lot came up this week. I got lost in another city, picked up deliveries from America, picked up a key to my new place.
Next chapter introduces our first OC from those that were submitted.
I hope you all read, enjoy and review.
"So…this is it?" Will asked with doubt in his voice as he, Clare and David stood gathered outside an abandoned subway tunnel, every wall filled to the brim with graffiti. Will pulled the silver zipper of his black jacket up as a cold blast of wind bellowed past them, Will saw Clare doing the same with her blue hooded jacket.
"Without a doubt, look at the graffiti." Clare pointed to one wall in particular which had a large white Digivice with a black knife underneath it, sprayed across it. Will scanned his group and wondered if they'd be able to convince anyone in the tunnels to join them. Clare's partner, Apollomon burned brightly and smiled excitedly as he pumped his fists together almost eager to engage in a brawl. Will raised an eyebrow realising David had the exact same look.
"Think we'll be fighting?" Clare frowned as she observed her partner Apollomon. Apollomon grinned.
"I haven't had a good fight in a while; I get to show off my strength!" Apollomon suddenly flexed his arms to show off as his flames grew brightly. David's partner snorted as what little light there was caused his steel armour and wing to glint dangerously.
"This is a mission to find pupils for young master Murphy. It would be unwise to use brute strength as a negotiation tool unless necessary. This is not a mission of war, this is an invitation. All you'll do is scare them away from us. " Ravemon didn't even look at Apollomon but David smiled proudly.
"Isn't he awesome? So proud and noble! Just like me!" David smiled happily.
"Your face is more terrifying than your muscles anyway." Ravemon turned his head as Apollomon's jaw fell open as the three Digidestined burst into laughter.
"He's exactly like you David!" Will commented. Over the years Ravemon had picked up David's mad sense of humour and even his quips. Will's eye fell upon his rookie partner Lightmon.
"You okay buddy?" Will asked quietly. Lightmon nodded and held up his fur covered hand to give him thumbs up. Will knew he was taking it hard, not being able to reach his ultimate or mega levels anymore. Will felt a chill creep up his spine as he remembered his surroundings; it was completely deserted here apart from a few old train cars and the odd stray dog that avoided them at any cost. Apollomon's flames were one of the few light sources but nothing could distract Will from the stench of fear and burning.
"Let's go." Will said without any hesitation as he and Lightmon ventured into the funnel, closely followed by his friends.
The group made their way through a crowded tunnel, people and Digimon everywhere. There was a huge variation of Digimon, some tiny and fluffy, others so huge they barely fit in the area. Will spied a Sedramon slithering towards the exit behind them. There were stalls and vans set up, selling various items and accessories or even medical supplies, no doubt illegally. Several men were flocked by huge crowds as they took money and bets. Eyes both human and Digital watched them intensely, they knew they weren't regulars.
"And what brings three of the Heroes of the West to our little domain?" The three turned to the source of the voice. A man, no taller than David stood there smiling wickedly. Will raised an eyebrow, there was no malice behind his smile but his eyes probed them. He was suspicious of them. He stood there, well dressed in black trousers and a black shirt that made him seem even paler than he already was. He had slicked back his hair which made it shine.
"What do you want?" Clare asked sharply. The man held up his hands and smiled.
"My name is Andrew. I simply wished to welcome three celebrities to my establishment." He extended his arms as if to hug them but didn't move. Will instantly saw his pale white Digivice clipped to his belt, but no sign of his Digimon. David made a move to push the man back but Will stepped forward.
"I'm here to offer the newer Digidestined an invitation." Will said simply. Andrew tilted his head.
"What offer would that be then?" Andrew folded his arms. "Oh don't get me wrong, I'll let you stay and enjoy this place, but I won't let you threaten anyone here." His voice was firm and his body solid as an air of anger almost flooded him. Will and David smiled.
"I want to offer the younger Digidestined a chance to train with me, let them see what it means to really be a Digidestined." Will said it so simply and plainly he almost didn't seem to care about the idea. Clare glanced at him and studied him, watching as he curled one hand into a tight fist. She smiled, he was simply being careful. Andrew studied them for a moment as the corners of his lip formed into a small smile.
"Very well. I'll help you with this offer. Follow me, if you would." Andrew began to walk in front of them and people moved away from him. The group followed him, passing through the space left behind him as the crowd followed them. Clare frowned at Andrew for a moment; he had hundreds of followers here who no doubt gave him money, why would he bother to help them?
"He's like Mark, isn't he?" Will said quietly to David as they passed through the crowd. David nodded and grinned madly. Clare turned and raised an eyebrow; Mark had been a member of Will and David's team before dying at the hands of Alpha Strikemon. Clare wondered if they were thinking of somehow getting Andrew to join them. Andrew suddenly leapt up onto a large cement block and stood high above the crowd as he seemingly pulled a microphone from nowhere that he spun expectedly before addressing the crowd.
"Friends! We have special guests tonight in our humble barrows!" Whispers echoed all around and eyes wandered in every direction until they found them. Andrew motioned for Will to join him and he easily climbed up and joined Andrew.
"We have three of the heroes of the west!" The crowd looked up, half in awe and half in shock. Will had hated that name since they were branded with it. Ever since they had taken part in big battles and defied the demon sovereign in the west continent of the Digital world, they had been labelled heroes. Andrew quickly passed the microphone to Will and he stared at it for a moment.
"It would seem many of you are aware of who I am. I'll keep this simple; I notice a lot of younger, inexperienced Digidestined here. I simply want to offer you to the chance to train with me. Let you learn what I know." Will said it confidently and carelessly, the crowd barely seemed to care. Will folded his arms and waited for the reaction. A few laughed at the back at some comment he hadn't heard.
"Why should we? I could take you on!" Someone called out. Another agreed with them and several people chimed in.
"I'll take you on!" Another cried out. Andrew stepped up the podium and seized the microphone.
"I sense a challenge! What say you, Will?" Andrew held the microphone to Will and he froze for a moment. He glanced down at Lightmon who nodded. His eyes caught Clare's and instantly he recognised she was worried.
"To the three of you who just called out, I'll take you all." The crowd gave up a huge roar of excitement. Will leapt off the podium and shrugged off his jacket as Andrew began to take bets.
"I knew he was up to no good." Clare muttered angrily. Will smiled and walked over to her.
"Don't worry, we got this." Will said confidently. Lightmon stood next to him and raised his fists.
"Damn right!" He chirped in. Clare looked back at David who was glancing around.
"Aren't you going to help?" Clare said as she placed her hands on her hips and stared at him as Will readied himself.
"He's got this. Besides, I'm going to look for ice cream." David said happily as he wandered off, Ravemon in tow. Clare's jaw fell open.
"Fine. I'm helping you." Clare said as she began to unzip her hooded jacket. Will held her hands and stopped her.
"You can't. It would be better if they see me fight alone. They need to see what we can do so they trust us. We'll be fine."
Andrew had lead Will to large open space where the tunnels split off in various direction. The area was lit with huge hanging lights that showed every inch of graffiti. Will stood across from the three challengers and their champion level Digimon, a smaller than normal orange dinosaur Greymon, the sea snake Seadramon from before and a Knightmon with dull armour. Lightmon erupted into a golden light and Digivolved into his champion form with a roar that shook everything around them. Will didn't bother to take note of the three Digidestined before him. The golden light broke apart revealing a large white wolf covered in red tribal marks across its razor sharp white fur.
"Strikemon." The wolf growled and got ready. In between everyone involved was a small traffic light rigged up as a starting light. Slowly the colours changed as everyone waited eagerly. People cried out supporting both sides to kill each other. Will grinned and got ready as the green light flashed, the fight was on.
"Nova-" The Greymon reared back its head back as flames began to lap at its lips before Strikemon stopped him altogether.
"Red shot!" A destructive ball of pulsing red energy shot so fast at the Greymon the entire open space lit up in a blood red hue.
"Ceiling!" Will called out as he began to sprint forward. Strikemon aimed at the ceiling almost instantly.
"Red shot!" In an instant all light was snuffed from the room as the lights were engulfed in an explosion that rocked the entire area and darkness and smoked engulfed them.
"He's going to bring down the entire cavern!" Someone called out but was quickly silenced as Will sent his fist into the Digidestined's face. Strikemon began a barrage from where he stood causing the entire cavern to light up in a blood red hue time and time again giving the audience flashes of what was happening. One moment Will was ducking from a punch, the next he was fighting someone else. A thunderous explosion rang out and everything was silent.
"Get the spare lights on!" In moments light began to flood the room. Smoke billowed in every direction as red flames lapped the ceiling and walls. Strikemon stood there proudly as he had hardly moved. The three champions level Digimon lay sprawled out in several directions, the Greymon almost embedded in the wall as red flames lapped all around him. The three Digidestined lay beaten on the ground as one tried to pick himself up. Will calmly walked to the edge of the area as Strikemon followed. Clare breathed a sigh of relief as he walked over to where she had been watching.
"Told you I'd be fine." Will said happily, his eyes danced with excitement as adrenaline rushed through him. His eyes were ablaze with life as he turned to face the crowd.
"If any of you wish to take me up on my offer, meet me in the main park a week from now." No one dared to speak up as they watched him with awe. David wandered over to them, a huge ice cream in his hand.
"Did I miss much?"